This species is present in eastern and southern Brazil, north-eastern Uruguay, north-eastern Argentina and south-eastern Paraguay. Records from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, are erroneous (Abba and Vizcaíno, 2008).

DESCRIPTION

HABITAT

C. tatouay inhabits tropical lowland and submontane forest, as well as open areas (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992). It is also found in agricultural areas and may occur in secondary forest (Mikich and Bernils, 2004; Aguiar and Fonseca, 2008).

BIOLOGY

This naked-tailed armadillo is highly fossorial. It is not uncommon and can be regularly encountered within suitable habitat.

THREATS

There is extensive habitat loss in much of its range, including in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. In addition, the species is hunted locally.

CONSERVATION

C. tatouay is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, its occurrence in a number of protected areas, its tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category.The greater naked-tailed armadillo is present in many protected areas.

REFERENCES

Additional information and a complete list of references can be found in: Abba, A.M. and M. Superina (2010): The 2009/2010 Armadillo Red List Assessment. Edentata 11(2): 135-184. This article is available here.